{"id":16700,"date":"2021-09-28T17:54:35","date_gmt":"2021-09-28T09:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.i-learner.edu.hk\/?p=16700"},"modified":"2021-09-28T17:55:02","modified_gmt":"2021-09-28T09:55:02","slug":"classics-vocabulary-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www23.i-learner.com.hk\/studiowebsite\/2021\/09\/classics-vocabulary-building\/","title":{"rendered":"Classics and Vocabulary Building"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the key developer of Overseas Education materials for 11+<\/a> and 13+<\/a> examinations, I have spent a lot of time thinking of strategies for students to expand their vocabularies. A strong and broad vocabulary is the best weapon you can have in a Verbal Reasoning, Literary Analysis, Reading Comprehension, or Writing assessment; not only because of the words at your fingertips, but also the worlds of meaning these words open up.<\/p>\n

Extracts from classic literature feature heavily in these examinations and also in overseas curriculums. Through them, we are given windows into many different historical periods. We can learn ancient morals through Aesop\u2019s fables, find out about medieval robbers in Robin Hood<\/i>, or discover secret worlds in Frances Hodgson Burnett\u2019s 20th century novel The Secret Garden<\/i>. Each of these historical periods comes with unique vocabulary and contextual references.<\/p>\n

For example, archaic words used in character names in Robin Hood<\/i> could help students with profession vocabulary and feminine and masculine nouns (great for Verbal Reasoning preparation):<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Friar <\/b>Tuck<\/td>\n= (arc.) meaning a religious brother, or medieval monk \u2192 coming from the Latin frater, <\/i>or French frere<\/i> for brother.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maid <\/b>Marion<\/td>\n= (arc.) meaning an unmarried girl or young woman \u2192 more recent historical maid servants who were usually unmarried.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sheriff <\/b>of Nottingham<\/td>\n= (arc.) meaning a senior officer in an English county responsible for law and order \u2192 modern day sheriffs in the US who are chief police officers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

And in The Secret Garden<\/i>, there are many wonderful adjectives used to describe the personality of the rude and sometimes unpleasant Mary Lennox. Try working out the definitions of these adjectives and using them in your creative writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
contrary<\/td>\nimperious<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
grave<\/td>\nsolemn<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

But how can you use these great works of literature to effectively increase vocabulary?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n